Death of driver Gonzague Olivier

Gonzague Olivier has died aged 90. His record at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the rest of his racing career was intimately linked with Porsche.

He raced three times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Porsche. His first was in 1953 and resulted in retirement, but in the next two he took the chequered flag; 14th in a Porsche 550 (and first in the 750-1100 cc class ) in 1954 and 18th in 1955. Subsequently, he became one of the privileged collaborators of Auguste Veuillet (five participations at the Le Mans 24 Hours) in Sonauto, the French Porsche importer based in Levallois.

Gonzague Olivier was also the father of Jean-Claude, who was entrusted by Auguste Veuillet with the task of establishing Yamaha in France. He became one of the greatest figures in the history of the motorcycle in France, Jean-Claude Olivier died in a car accident in January.

To the family and friends of Gonzague Olivier, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest expresses its deepest sympathy.